A prosthesis for replacing a joint between a first bone and a second bone in a human hand or foot includes first and second rigid blocks (110, 120) interconnected by a flexible bridging structure (130). In certain embodiments, the flexible bridging structure employs a helical spring oriented with its central axis aligned with a central axis of a bone anchor portion of the first rigid block. One or more shear-limiting element (101, 140) is deployed within an internal volume of the helical spring (130) to limit an extent of shear deformation applied to the helical spring. Other aspects of the invention relate to adjustable bone-abutment flanges, an alternative bridging structure employing a helically-twisted leaf spring, and a structure and method for bridging between the first metacarpal and the scaphoid in case of removal of the trapezium from the hand.

A prosthesis for replacing a joint between a first bone and a second bone in a human hand or foot includes first and second rigid blocks (110, 120) interconnected by a flexible bridging structure (130). In certain embodiments, the flexible bridging structure employs a helical spring oriented with its central axis aligned with a central axis of a bone anchor portion of the first rigid block. One or more shear-limiting element (101, 140) is deployed within an internal volume of the helical spring (130) to limit an extent of shear deformation applied to the helical spring. Other aspects of the invention relate to adjustable bone-abutment flanges, an alternative bridging structure employing a helically-twisted leaf spring, and a structure and method for bridging between the first metacarpal and the scaphoid in case of removal of the trapezium from the hand.

A prosthesis including a magnetic implant approximating the size of a bone to be replaced; a first magnetic bone implant securable to a first bone adjacent the bone to be replaced; and a second magnetic bone implant securable to a second bone adjacent the bone to be replaced. Each of the first and second magnetic bone implants have a magnetic relationship with the magnetic implant. A method of reconstructing a wrist includes removing a patient's scaphoid to create a void. The scaphoid has a plurality of adjacent bones, each of the adjacent bones comprising a surface generally facing the void. The surface of at least two of the adjacent bones is prepared by affixing a magnetic element thereto and a magnetic scaphoid implant is inserted into the void. A magnetic relationship exists between the magnetic elements and the magnetic scaphoid implant.

A prosthesis including a magnetic implant approximating the size of a bone to be replaced; a first magnetic bone implant securable to a first bone adjacent the bone to be replaced; and a second magnetic bone implant securable to a second bone adjacent the bone to be replaced. Each of the first and second magnetic bone implants have a magnetic relationship with the magnetic implant. A method of reconstructing a wrist includes removing a patient's scaphoid to create a void. The scaphoid has a plurality of adjacent bones, each of the adjacent bones comprising a surface generally facing the void. The surface of at least two of the adjacent bones is prepared by affixing a magnetic element thereto and a magnetic scaphoid implant is inserted into the void. A magnetic relationship exists between the magnetic elements and the magnetic scaphoid implant.